Meeting documents

169 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

170 EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURE

The Chair(person) drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out on the Agenda.

171 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Colin Darracott declared a personal and non-prejudicial interest relating to Question 1, as a local subscriber to Bath Friends of the Earth.

Councillor Malcolm Hanney declared a personal and non-prejudicial interest relating to Question 2 and to Agenda Item 15, as the Chair of the local PCT.

172 TO ANNOUNCE ANY URGENT BUSINESS AGREED BY THE CHAIR(PERSON)

There was none.

173 QUESTIONS FROM PUBLIC AND COUNCILLORS

There were 9 questions from the following people; Mr Scott Morrison; Councillor Brian Barrett; Councillor Nigel Roberts (x2); Councillor Caroline Roberts; Councillor Gail Coleshill; Councillor Tim Ball; Councillor David Dixon; Councillor Sharon Ball.

[Copies of the questions and responses have been placed on the Minute book and are available on the Council's website.]

174 STATEMENTS, DEPUTATIONS OR PETITIONS FROM PUBLIC AND COUNCILLORS

Six statements (for which due notice had been given) were made by Councillor Peter Edwards regarding agenda item 15 "Regional Spatial Strategy"; Sonia Mainstone, Chris Davies, Paul Evans, Anna Grayson and Brian Edwards regarding item 11 "Review of Primary Schools in Peasedown".

Mr R Jerrom had given notice and was invited to speak regarding agenda item 14 "Letting of Mount Beacon Lodge" but, since the item had been deferred to a future meeting, declined.

[Copies of the statements, when provided, have been placed on the Council's Minute book and are available on the Council's website.]

175 MINUTES: WEDNESDAY 5TH APRIL 2006

On a motion from Cllr Paul Crossley, seconded by Cllr Malcolm Hanney, it was

176 CONSIDERATION OF SINGLE MEMBER ITEMS NOW REQUISITIONED TO COUNCIL EXECUTIVE (Report 9).

There were no such items on this occasion.

177 CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS REFERRED BY OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY BODIES (Report 10).

There were no such items on this occasion.

178 A REVIEW OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN PEASEDOWN (Report 11).

Statements were made by Sonia Mainstone (Parent Governor), Chris Davies (Chair of Camerton Residents Association), Paul Evans (parent), Anna Grayson (previous Head Teacher) and Brian Edwards (Vice-Chair of Camerton Parish Council) in support of Camerton Primary School and emphasising the school's crucial involvement in the local community, its improving school role, the high level of parental involvement in school, the educational and social benefits for children of mixed age classes, and the consequences of bussing children to another village for school.

Councillor Rosemary Todd made a statement in which she pointed out that, as a Ward Member and LEA appointed Governor at Camerton Primary school, she appreciated the part that the school plays as a pillar of the community and wanted to emphasise that the school roll was improving year on year. She asked the Executive to allow 3 years for the school to prove its improving performance which would require the Executive to amend "2008" to "2009" when they make their decision.

Councillor Jonathan Gay introduced this report and explained that the unfilled ratio of places is 8% which compares favourably with the 10% guidelines. While acknowledging that Camerton Primary School cost per pupil is £4200, which is £1000 over the average, he said that his view was that this is not surprising in a school in that area. Some schools in the area have been a cause of concern in the past for various reasons but have now been turned round. He thanked the 5 speakers from Camerton Primary School and said that the school was situated just under 3 miles from Radstock but that the route included a steep hill for those walking the route. There was a high level of social deprivation in the village - no shops or pub and little public transport. Closure of this school would involve the Authority in high transport costs. He moved the recommendations as printed in the report but indicated that he would consider any proposals to amend. He recognised that because of recent initiatives in the school, Councillor Rosemary Todd's points were very pertinent and perhaps the school might need longer to prove itself.

After debate and advice received from the Council Solicitor and Chief Executive, Councillor Jonathan Gay in summing up repeated his wish to allow time for Camerton Primary School to demonstrate its continuing improvement. He thanked the speakers from the school.

Rationale

The Executive were of the opinion that no re-organisation of the primary schools within the Peasedown area was necessary. Although there were a relatively high number of surplus places the majority of these were at one school.

The Executive noted that all 4 schools were successful and generally achieved above KS1 and KS2 national average standards. Whilst each of the schools served its local community the Panel noted that both St Julian's and Shoscombe had a significant proportion of pupils from Peasedown. This not only eases pressure on Peasedown St John Primary which is near capacity but also helps to sustain those schools.

The Executive noted the recent improvement in numbers on roll at Camerton Primary and acknowledged the considerable efforts of the new headteacher and governors to improve the school and the strong support of parents. In addition the Executive recognised that the school was an important part of the local rural community and felt that by Spring 2009 a clear picture of long-term achievement would be evident.

Other options considered

The option of recommending a review of Camerton Primary at this stage was considered. It was felt however that the school should be given every opportunity to build on the good work of the Headteacher and governors to see if this has a positive impact on pupil numbers.

On a motion from Councillor Jonathan Gay, seconded by Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins OBE, it was

(1) That the valuable work of the Education, Youth, Culture and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Panel is noted, and their recommendations as set out in Appendix 1 are considered;

(2) That no organisational change is needed in this cluster;

(3) That Officers are requested to work with the governors of St Julians CofE Primary School to improve accommodation within the funds available;

(4) That officers are to discuss with the Diocese of Bath and Wells the options for improving the pedestrian access to Shoscombe CofE Primary school;

(5) That the long term security issues associated with the use of the detached playing field at Peasedown St John Primary School are noted, and the officers work with the Head Teacher and governors to try and resolve this issue;

(6) That the continuing decline in pupil numbers at Camerton CofE Primary school is noted, and notes the panel request that a further report on pupil numbers is to be bought to them in Spring 2008; and

(7) That it is, however, the view of the Executive that this matter be reconsidered by late spring 2009 and that the OS panel be advised accordingly.

[The underlined section in resolution (7) above was proposed by Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins OBE and accepted by the mover of the motion.]

179 TRANSFER OF SERVICE FROM HAZELWOOD TO THE NEW KEYNSHAM SCHOOL SITE (Report 12).

Councillor Jonathan Gay, in introducing this report, said that this was a matter of releasing one asset to improve another asset. The ringfenced money gained would be invested in the new site, which was local to the old one.

Rationale

To establish comprehensive children's centre services co-located with the new primary school in Keynsham. This will achieve more integrated and efficient service delivery for children and families leading to improved outcomes for children.

Other Options Considered

The alternative is to retain Hazelwood Family Centre at its current site and not create space to accommodate this service alongside the new school. This option means the opportunity to create comprehensive children's centre services co-located with the school would be missed and joint working of services would be less effective.

On a motion from Councillor Jonathan Gay, seconded by Councillor Colin Darracott, it was

RESOLVED

(1) To approve the linked sale of Hazelwood Family Centre premises in Keynsham and the investment of all proceeds in the provision of a comprehensive children's centre and the services are co-located with the new Keynsham Primary School; and

(2) To recommend to Council approval of the reservation for the creation of the facilities of the capital receipt referred to in paragraph 3.1 as required by the budget Management scheme

180 CONTRACTS FOR SERVICES: FESTIVALS ORGANISATION AND BATH TOURISM PLUS 2006 - 2009 (Report 13).

Councillor Paul Crossley welcomed to the meeting Robin Bischert, Chief Executive of Bath Tourism Plus, and Nod Knowles, Chief Executive of Festivals Organisation.

Nod Knowles made an ad hoc statement in which he reported on recent progress made by the festivals organisation.

Councillor Nicole O'Flaherty introduced the report. She apologised for the bulky papers but explained that this achieved the aim of bringing both contracts to the Executive at the same time. Bath Tourism Plus have been able to report an increase of bookings of 40% over the previous year and have taken over the running of the Christmas Market. The two organisations are peparing to work much more closely together and within 2 months the booking offices will be co-located and there is huge potential for more cost-saving collaboration. The Festivals Organisation has made a huge leap forward in the last year.

During the debate, Executive members expressed a determination to ensure that Council funding should be used to promote the Council's objectives. Opportunities to encourage a wide range of various cultural events across the whole of the Council's area were mentioned.

In summing up, Councillor Nicole O'Flaherty emphasised the need forfunded organisations to work towards delivering the council's objectives and to deliver cultural events which would appeal to various local communities.

Rationale

Officers advised that both Festivals Organisation and Bath Tourism Plus can, with Council investment, contribute very positively to delivering our aims, objectives and improvement priorities. This needs to be monitored to ensure delivery.

Both organisations are required to develop a closer working relationship, and to identify where and how they can work together to achieve efficiencies - for example in administration and office support, customer-facing services such as box office and tourist information, and promotions and marketing. The Agreements set targets for both organisations to have made some efficiencies by the end of 2006-7, and to identify medium and longer term changes for 2007-9.

The Agreements for both organisations have been developed by officers in parallel, to ensure consistency between the two contracts and clarity of performance indicators.

Other Options Considered

The two organisations were established by the Council, working with public and private sector partners, to specifically deliver festival and tourism related services. This approach has allowed external funding and income streams to be levered in. Both organisations are local, well established and well placed to build on their existing track records to deliver the services and programmes of work that we require. It is officers' view that it would not therefore represent best value to go out to open tender for delivery of these services at this time.

Entry into the proposed Agreements for the provision of the Services by the Festivals Organisation and Bath Tourism Plus would ensure best value for money and a high quality of services delivered to residents of, and visitors to, the local authority area.

On a motion from Councillor Nicole O'Flaherty, seconded by Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins OBE, it was

RESOLVED

(1) That the council agrees in principle to the three year funding agreements to the Festivals Organisation and Bath Tourism Plus for the Financial years 2006 - 2009, for the delivery of the services detailed in the attached draft Service Level Agreement, and the Service Contract is subject to an annual review and the Council Budget. Funding for years two and three will be reviewed in the context of progress against targets for both organisations, co-operative working and contribution to the Council's overall objectives;

(2) That the Director of Customer Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture, is authorised to make the appropriate amendments to the Draft Agreements attached in the report in order to secure the Council's objectives, and to complete the formal Service Delivery Agreements with the Festivals Company and Bath Tourism Plus; and

(3) That the Contract Standing Orders are waived in relation to the completion of the Service Delivery Agreements with the Festivals Organisation and Bath Tourism Plus for the reasons set out in sections 6 and 7 of the report.

[The underlined section in resolution (1) above was proposed by Councillor Malcolm Hanney and accepted by the mover of the motion and her seconder.]

181 LETTING OF MOUNT BEACON LODGE, LANSDOWN, BATH AT LESS THAN MARKET VALUE TO BATH HOUSING CO-OPERATIVE (Report 14).

The Chief Executive made a statement in which he advised the meeting that further representations had been received from the lessees of Mount Beacon Lodge, and further legal advice had been received so he was suggesting that agenda item 14 should be deferred to a future date in order that further information could be made available to the Executive.

On a motion from Councillor Paul Crossley, seconded by Councillor Colin Darracott, it was

RESOLVED that agenda item 14 should be deferred to a future date so that further information could be made available to the Executive when they make their decision.

182 REGIONAL SPATIAL STRATEGY FOR THE SOUTH WEST (Report 15).

Councillor Peter Edwards made a statement pointing out the impact which 6000 new homes would have on the village of Whitchurch and asking that the atmospheric effect of the planned new housing should be considered.

Councillor Caroline Roberts welcomed indications that policy SR10 will be re-introduced after having been removed. She asked where all the jobs were expected to come from.

Councillor Gerry Curran thanked the speakers for their contributions. In introducing the report, he recommended the document as summarising the concerns of the Council and reminded the Executive that there were still concerns about the delivery of infrastructure to support the new housing. He referred to the paper, made available before the meeting, showing amendments to paragraphs 3.7 and 4.2 of the report.

The debate highlighted the determination of Executive Members to insist that local infrastructure must be in place before a substantial amount of new housing is built.

Rationale

The Executive considered the reported progress on preparation of the Regional Spatial Strategy by the Regional Assembly, the outstanding concerns about the content of the draft Regional Spatial Strategy submitted to the Secretary of State, and noted the work that is programmed to address these concerns.

Other Options Considered

None.

On a motion from Councillor Gerry Curran, seconded by Councillor Sir Elgar Jenkins OBE, it was

RESOLVED

(1) To note the outstanding areas of concern in relation to the draft Regional Spatial Strategy, and the work programmed in order to address these concerns and inform the Council's response.

183 YOUTH JUSTICE PLAN 2006-07 (Report 16).

Councillor Vic Pritchard introduced the report and explained to the Executive that the Council was one contributor of funding along with other partners.

Rationale

The principal aim of the youth justice system is to prevent youth offending. The Youth Justice Plan sets out how Bath and North East Somerset will work to achieve this within the national performance monitoring framework, whilst ensuring that locally agreed priorities receive due attention.

The priorities for the year ahead are to:

Develop the services available to parents and carers of young people who have offended or are at risk of offending, to ensure they receive effective support to address their children's behaviour;

Revise the local strategy for preventing youth offending within the context of the Children Act 2004 and new Prevention Funding;

Work with partner agencies to improve services to black and other ethnic minority young people who are at risk of offending or re-offending;

Improve recording and performance management.

Other Options Considered

On a motion from Councillor Vic Pritchard, seconded by Councillor Jonathan Gay, it was

RESOLVED

(1) That the plan as required by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 is approved;

(2) To recommend the Plan to Council for approval as part of the Policy and Budget Framework;

(3) To endorse the priorities contained within the plan; and

(4) To ask the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Panel once again to monitor the progress on the plan in 6 months time and to participate in the identification of future priorities.

184 RADSTOCK REGENERATION PRINCIPLES (Report 17).

Councillor Colin Darracott introduced the report which set out very broad, high-level principles for the regeneration of Midsomer Norton and Radstock. It would provide the context for other upcoming work.

Rationale

A coherent and co-ordinated approach is vital for successful regeneration. The draft Local Plan allocates the former railway and associated land in the town for development. Whilst there is not currently a physical regeneration framework or masterplan for the town centre, a significant amount of regeneration work has been undertaken. Drawing upon this work to establish a set of regeneration principles will provide a starting point for development of a physical regeneration framework for the town centre. These principles can be taken into account in any subsequent production of formal planning documents for the town. Minor amendment of the draft principles previously agreed by the Executive is proposed following consultation

Other Options Considered

The option of relying on current policies and strategies was considered but was rejected because of the lack of a forward looking and holistic context for physical regeneration risks failure to realise the town's potential. Consideration was given to deferring further work until commencement of formal planning documents within the Local Development Framework process but was rejected because of the need to guide and facilitate regeneration on the shorter term. The proposed principles could be taken into account in any subsequent development of formal planning policy.

On a motion from Councillor Colin Darracott, seconded by Councillor Jonathan Gay, it was

RESOLVED

(1) To agreee the principles as amended as a basis for helping to guide regeneration in Radstock town centre, and to be taken into consideration in producing future statutory planning policies for the town.